Coacting wheel type ball projecting device

ABSTRACT

A pair of spaced, resiliently tired wheels are mounted on a base for axial rotation in a common plane, the spacing between the wheels being less than the diameter of a ball to be thrown and the rotational speed of each wheel being adjustable independently of the other. The base is supported above a ball and socket universal mounting, whereby to afford angular adjustment of said rotational plane in all directions about a common pivot point. The base member is locked in a desired position by the operation of a manual control device that operates to bring the base member against the ball of the ball and socket joint. Electrical controls are present to control the speed of rotation of the coacting wheels. These adjustments of relative rotational speeds and plane of rotation of the wheels afford wide variations in the direction, type, velocity and curvature of a ball ejected from between the wheels.

United States Patent 11 1 Paulson 1 51 Nov. 27, 1973 COACTING WHEEL TYPEBALL PROJECTING DEVICE [7 Inventor: John K. Paulson, 14390 SW. L JplandsDr.. Oswego. Oreg.

221 Filed: Feb. 14, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 225,790

52 us. Cl 124 1, 273/26 D, 248/181 51 Int. Cl. F41b 3/00- 58 Field ofSearch 124 1, 50, 29;

273/26 D, 129, 110, 96 R; 211/37; 272/79 R; 248/181, 163, 177, 165;95/86 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R.Browne Attorney-Oliver D. Olson [57] ABSTRACT A pair of spaced,resiliently tired wheels are mounted on a base for axial rotation in acommon plane, the spacing between the wheels being less than thediameter of a ball to be thrown and the rotational speed of each' wheelbeing adjustable independently of the other. The base is supported abovea ball and socket universal mounting, whereby to afford angularadjustment of said rotational plane in all directions about a commonpivot point. The base member is locked in a desired position by theoperation of a manual control device that operates to bring the basemember against the ball of the ball and socket joint. Electricalcontrols are present to control the speed of rotation of the coactingwheels. These adjustments of relative rotational speeds and plane ofrotation of the wheels afford wide variations in the'direction, type,velocity and curvature of a ball ejected from between the wheels.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures COACTING WHEEL TYPE BALL PROJECTING DEVICEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I This invention relates to devices forthrowing baseballs, tennis balls and the like, and more particularly toa simplified device for throwing a wide variety of types of baseballpitches.

Ball throwing devices have been utilized heretofore. For example, theyhave been used by tennis players to enable practice without thenecessity of another player. They have also been used by baseballplayers for batting practice to avoid overworking the arms of pitchers.

However, baseball throwing devices provided heretofore are characterizedby a number of disadvantages and limitations. They are difficult toadjust for various types, speeds and directions of pitches and areincapable of inaccurately reproducing a selected pitch. They provideonly a limited number of types of pitches and thus fail adequately toprovide a user the total practice necessary to prepare for all types ofpitches encountered in actual play.

Moreover, they are bulky and heavy and thus are difficult and cumbersometo transport to and from a site of operation. And they are of costlyconstruction and therefore not available to small schools, clubs,leagues and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its basic concept, the apparatus of thisinvention utilizes a pair of ball-ejecting wheels rotatable at selectedspeeds in a common plane which is adjustable in all directions above acommon pivot point.

It is by virtue of the foregoing basic concept that the principalobjective of this invention is achieved; namely, to overcome theaforementioned disadvantages and limitations of prior ball throwingdevices.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of ballthrowing apparatus which isusable for all types of practice, for examplethe serving of all types and speeds of tennis deliveries and thethrowing of all types of baseball pitches for batting practice, and thethrowing of ground balls, line drives and fly balls to the infield andoutfield.

Still another important object of this invention is the provision ofball throwing apparatus which is adjustable for all types of pitches andthrows by the manipulation of but a single control.

A further important object of this invention is to provide ball throwingapparatus which is compact in size and light in weight, whereby toenable its storage in an automobile trunk and to facilitate itstransport to and from a site of operation.

A still further important object of this invention is the provision ofball throwing apparatus which is of simplified construction foreconomical manufacture.

The foregoingand other objects and advantages of this invention willappear from the following detailed description, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing of a preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of ball throwingapparatus embodying the features of this invention, the right hand wheelbeing shown in broken lines in order to disclose details of constructionof underlying components.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in rear elevation as viewed from the bottomin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in side elevation as viewed from the rightin FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 4-4 in FIG.2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line,55 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in front elevation, as viewed from the topin FIG. 1, showing the wheel assembly in full lines and in broken linesin selected positions of adjustment for throwing differently curvedbaseball pitches.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in side elevation, similar to FIG.3,showing the wheel assembly adjusted in full lines for throwing fly ballsand in broken lines for throwing ground balls.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The ball throwing apparatus ofthis invention includes a base member 10, preferably in the form of ametal casting, for mounting a pair of spaced, rotary ball-ejectingwheels 12 and 14. To this end, the base member is provided withlaterally spaced flanges 16 arranged, as by means of bolts 18, toremovably mount drive motors 20 and 22. The rotary output shafts of themotors mount the wheels for rotation in opposite directions, asindicated by the arrows in FIG. 1, and in a substantially common plane24. The spacing between the confronting surfaces of the wheels isslightly less than the diameter of a ball B (FIG. 4) to be thrown.Accordingly, the ball is gripped between the rotating wheels and ejectedforwardly therefrom, as explained hereinafter.

The drive motors may be of the fluid pressure type or, preferably, ofthe electric type illustrated. Further, the motors preferably are of thevariable speed type in order to adjust the rotational speed of eachwheel independently of the other.

Means may be provided for guiding a ball into the space between therotating wheels. Although automatic feed means may be utilized forfeeding balls on a timed schedule, in the embodiment illustrated manualmeans is provided by an elongated guide block 26 which extendslongitudinally between the wheels and is anchored to the longitudinallyraised central portion 10' of the base member 10 by such means as screws28. An inclined, transversely arcuate ball feed chute 30 is secured tothe rearward end of the block, as by screws 32, or it may be formedintegral with the block, as will be understood. Thus, a ball may bedeposited in the upper end of the chute, whereupon it gravitatesdownward and onto the upper surface of the guide block for deliverybetween the wheels.

Universal mounting means is provided for supporting the base member 10and wheels for pivotal adjustment in all directions about a common pivotpoint spaced from the rotational plane 24 of the wheels. In theembodiment illustrated, the base member is provided with an opening 34in the form of a spherial segment. This opening functions as the socketcomponent of a ball and socket unit, and therefore has a diameter lessthan that of the ball component 36.

The ball component 36 of the unit is mounted on a base support whichincludes a body member 38 anchoring the upper ends of the plurality ofdownwardly diverging leg members 40. In the embodiment illustrated theball component and body member are formed as an integral unit, althoughit will be understood that they may be separate units secured togetherby any conventional means. Members 38, 40, 68, 72, 76, comprise the basesupport.

Means is provided for manually pivoting the base member and supportedwheels relative to the ball 36. This means is provided in the embodimentillustrated by a T-shaped handle, the cross member 42 of which provideshand grips and the longitudinal leg 44 of which is secured to the basemember. In the embodiment illustrated, this attachment is made byproviding the confronting surfaces of rearward portions of the centralraised portion of the base member and block 26 with registeringsemi-circular grooves. These registering grooves thus form an elongatedcylindrical socket for the removable reception of the leg 44. The legalso is provided with transverse openings for the receiptiontherethrough of the attaching screws 28, whereby to restrain the handleagainst rotation relative to the base member.

Means also is provided for securing the ball 36 and socket 34 componentsin selected postions of adjustment. To this end a clamping plate 46 isprovided with an opening 48 in the form of a spherical segment having adiameter less than the diameter of the ball. The plate is provided witha longitudinal slot 50 extending forwardly from the opening 48 anddimensioned to receive freely therethrough the upper reduced portion ofthe body 38, for removable registration of the socket with the ball. Theforwardly projecting portions of the plate, separated by the slot 50,are connected in vertically spaced relation to the forward end of thebase member 10, as by means of bolts 52. These bolts also pass throughopenings in a transversely arranged connecting plate 54 which spans theforward slot 50 removably to prevent spreading of the forwardly spacedportions of the plate and hence enlargement of the socket 48.

Adjacent the rearward end of the plate 46 is an upstanding threadedscrew 56 which extends freely through an opening in the central leg 44of the T handle. An internally threaded control knob 58 is threaded ontothe projecting upper end of the screw and its lower end bears againstthe handle leg. Accordingly, by appropriate hand rotation of the controlknob the clamping plate 46 is moved closer to or farther from the basemember 10, whereby to clamp the ball 36 releasably between the basemember and clamping plate. Thus, by loosening the control knob 58 thebase member and hence the rotational plane 24 of the wheels may bepivoted about the center of the ball 36 in all angular directions.

The rearward end of the clamping plate 46 is provided with a downwardlyoffset section 46' which forms a mounting base for a control housing 60.This housing contains a pair of electrical controls one associated witheach of the electric motors 20, 22 and operableto vary the speed of thelatter. A control knob 62 is provided for each control, as will beunderstood. 7

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the body member 38 of the basesupport is provided with a cnetral cavity 64, the defining peripheralwall of which converges upwardly from the bottom of the body. Atcircumferentially spaced positions around the cavity, there are aplurality of substantially semi-circular socket'sections 66 which openinto the cavity. In the embodiment illustrated, there are three suchsocket sections arranged at 120 intervals. A clamping plug 68, in thecross sectional form of a truncated cone, is dimensioned slightlysmaller than but matching the shape of the cavity for free receptiontherein. The periphery of the plug is provided with substantiallysemicircular socket sections 70 opening onto theperiphery thereof andarranged to register with the semi-circular socket sections 66 in thebody, to provide a plurality of circumferentially spaced circularsockets each adapted to receive freely therein the upper end of one ofthe leg members 40.

Projecting inward from each semi-circular socket section 66 in the bodyare two sets of longitudinally spaced pairs of lugs 72 spaced apartcircumferentially of and projecting inward from the socket section. Asimilar lug 74 projects inwardly from each semicircular socket section70 in the plug 68, intermediate the spaced pairs of lugs 72. These lugs72 and 74 engage the leg member 40 atlongitudinally andcircumferentially spacedpoints to provide maximum stability for thelatter.

A central longitudinal opening through the plug 68 registers with athreaded opening in the body 38 and removably receives the clamping bolt76. By tightening the clamping bolt into the threaded bore, the plug isdrawn into the cavity, thereby reducing the diameter of the socketsformed by the sections 66 and and securing the leg members 40 firmlytherein.

It will be understood that the number of leg members 40 andcorresponding socket sections 66 and 70 in the body and plug,respectively, may be varied as desired. The tripod arrangementillustrated is preferred for its adjustability to various groundcontours while providing maximum stability for the supported componentsof the apparatus.

By virtue of the universal mounting of the wheels, as describedhereinbefore, the rotational plane 24 of the latter may be adjustedinfinitely through a large range of diverse angles. These adjustments,together with adjustments. in relative rotational speeds of the wheels,provides a wide range of types, directions and speeds of throws andpitches. For example, referring to FIG. 6 of the drawing, the rotationalplane 24 of the wheels is shown inclining upward toward the right asviewed, for example, by a batter during batting practice. By rotatingthe upper wheel 12 faster than the lower wheel- 14, a baseball pitchedfrom between the wheels takes the same curved trajectory as a lefthanded overhaul curve thrown by a pitcher. When the plane of rotation ofthe wheels is adjusted to the broken line position of FIG. 6 and theupper wheel 14 rotated faster than the lower wheel 12, the pitched balltakes the same trajectory as a right handed overhand curve delivered bya pitcher.

With the rotational plane of the wheels tilted in the manner illustratedin full and broken lines in FIG. 6 and with both wheels rotating at thesame speed, the degree of curvature of the pitch is reduced, bothhorizontally and vertically. By rotating the lower wheel faster than theupper wheel, in either of the tilted positions illustrated in FIG. 6,the trajectory of the pitch is both horizontal and upward.

When the plane 24 of rotation of the wheels is adjusted to a horizontalplane, intermediate the positions illustrated in FIG. 6, and one of thewheels is rotated faster than the other, the curve has a lesser degreeof vertical component. With the rotational plane of the wheels disposedhorizontally and with one of the wheels rotating only slightly fasterthan the other, a substantially straight fast ball will be delivered tothe batter. The speed of the pitch may be varied by increasing ordecreasing the rotational speed of the wheels, as will be understood.When both wheels are rotated at exactly the same speed, the pitch is aknuckler.

It is to be noted from FIG. 6 that the plane 24 of rotation of thewheels is spaced radially upward from the center of the ball 36.Accordingly, the tilting of the wheels relative to the ball 36 resultsin corresponding lateral movement of the longitudinal line of deliveryof a ball B from between the wheels. Thus, the point of delivery of theball may be varied laterally relative to the pitching mound. Thesevariations, as viewed from the position of the batter, contribute to theenlargement of the range of practice for the batter.

Referring now to FIG. 7 of the drawing, when the rotational plane 24 ofthe wheels is inclined in the forward direction as indicated by brokenline 78, the apparatus may be utilized to throw fly balls to the infieldor outfield along any desired trajectory. When the rotational plane of.the wheels is declined in the forward direction, as indicated by thebroken line 80, the apparatus may be used to throw ground balls to theinfield and outfield.

It is to be noted that all of the foregoing adjustments, providing thewide diversification of pitches and throws, are accomplished through thesimple expediency of a single direction control knob 58 and a pair ofspeed control knobs 62. This contributes materially to the versatilityof the apparatus since it accommodates changes in adjustments with speedand precision.

The simplified construction described hereinbefore also facilitatestransport of the apparatus to and from an operating site. In this regardthe apparatus may be tipped to one side, with the wheels resting on theground and the handle extending upward. In this position the apparatusmay be rolled from a site of the operation to an automobile. Then, bysimply loosening the single clamping bolt 76, to loosen the plug 68, theleg members 40 may be removed quickly from the body 38. The remainingassembly is of sufficiently light weight that it may be lifted by oneperson and deposited in the trunk of the automobile, together with theleg members 40.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the present inventionprovides a ball throwing apparatus which is of simplified constructionfor economical manufacture, which provides for a wide range of types,directions and speeds of pitches and throws with a minimum of componentadjustment, and which is easily portable. I

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the size, shape, type, number and arrangement of partsdescribed hereinbefore without departing from the spirit of thisinvention.

Having now described my invention and the manner in which it may beused, I claim:

1. A ball throwing device, comprising:

a. a base member,

b. a pair of drive motors mounted on the base member and each having arotary output shaft,

0. a pair of wheels mounted one on each of said output shafts andarranged in spaced relation for rotation in a substantially commonplane, the spacing between the wheels being less than the diameter of aball to be thrown,

d. a base support,

e. universal mounting means for permitting adjustment of the base memberangularly in all directions relative to the base support about a singlepivot point spaced from said common plane of rotation of the wheels,said universal mountingmeans including a ball, said ball beingpositioned between the base member and base support and secured to oneof the base member and base support, and one portion of the other ofsaid base and base support comprising a ball-receiving socket forreceiving said ball,

f. a handle connected to the base member for varying the angularposition of said base member with respect to said base support, and

. clampmeans for releasably securing together said base member, basesupport and ball, said clamp means releasably interengaging the ball andsocket, said clamp means including 1. a plate member engaging said ballat points spaced from the largest diameter of said ball and on the ballsurface opposite the surface engaged by said socket,

2. a manual control member, and

3. connector means coacting with said control member for adjustablyinterconnecting said plate member and the one of said base member andbase support carrying the socket, and said connector means beingoperable by the control member to move the plate member toward and awayfrom the socket to lockably release said handle and base member withrespect to said base support.

2. The ball throwing device of claim 1 wherein the ball is on the basesupport, the socket is carried by the base member, and the clamp platemember has an opening therethrough of smaller diameter than the ball,the control member interengaging the plate and base member forreleasably clamping them to the ball.

3. The ball throwing device of claim 1 includes wheel drive motors ofthe variable speed electric type, and electric control means isassociated with each motor for varying the speed thereof independentlyof the other motor.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,774,534 Dated November 27, 1973 John K. Paulson Inventor(s) It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line '18, "inaccurately".should read --accurately--; Column 2line 61, spherial" should read --spherical- Column 4, line 50,"overhaul" should read --o erhand Column 6, line 22, --membershould beinserted before "and";

Column 6, line '52, "includes" should read includin Signed and sealedthis 7th day of Ma 19m.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWAPD l-LFLBTOHER,JR. U. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents FORM P0405) uscoMM-Dc 60376-P69 US. GOVERNMENT PRINTINGOFFICE Z 1955 0-366-334

1. A ball throwing device, comprising: a. a base member, b. a pair ofdrive motors mounted on the base member and each having a rotary outputshaft, c. a pair of wheels mounted one on each of said output shafts andarranged in spaced relation for rotation in a substantially commonplane, the spacing between the wheels being less than the diameter of aball to be thrown, d. a base support, e. universal mounting means forpermitting adjustment of the base member angularly in all directionsrelative to the base support about a single pivot point spaced from saidcommon plane of rotation of the wheels, said universal mounting meansincluding a ball, said ball being positioned between the base member andbase support and secured to one of the base member and base support, andone portion of the other of said base and base support comprising aball-receiving socket for receiving said ball, f. a handle connected tothe base member for varying the angular position of said base memberwith respect to said base support, and g. clamp means for releasablysecuring together said base member, base support and ball, said clampmeans releasably interengaging the ball and socket, said clamp meansincluding
 1. a plate member engaging said ball at points spaced from thelargest diameter of said ball and on the ball surface opposite thesurface engaged by said socket,
 2. a manual control member, and 3.connector means coacting with said control member for adjustablyinterconnecting said plate member and the one of said base member andbase support carrying the socket, and said connector means beingoperable by the control member to move the plate member toward and awayfrom the socket to lockably release said handle and base member withrespect to said base support.
 2. a manual control member, and
 2. Theball throwing device of claim 1 wherein the ball is on the base support,the socket is carried by the base member, and the clamp plate member hasan opening therethrough of smaller diameter than the ball, the controlmember interengaging the plate and base member for releasably clampingthem to the ball.
 3. The ball throwing device of claim 1 includes wheeldrive motors of the variable speed electric type, and electric controlmeans is associated with each motor for varying the speed thereofindependently of the other motor.
 3. connector means coacting with saidcontrol member for adjustably interconnecting said plate member and theone of said base member and base support carrying the socket, and saidconnector means being operable by the control member to move the platemember toward and away from the socket to lockably release said handleand base member with respect to said base support.